Complaint Review: AutoNation Ford Margate

In late June 2020 I saw a 2003 Ford Thunderbird with 8,400 miles listed on Auto Trader.Com. I contacted the selling dealer, AutoNation Ford Margate, FL. They said the car was just traded and it needed their though 178 point inspection before being sold. About 5 days later they called and I had a lawyer visit the dealership to look over the car. He didn't drive it. He advised there was no visable damage and it appeared in good condition. I therefore purchased the car and the dealer arranged shipping to Tucson, AZ.

Before doing so, I had several conversations with the sales person who upon two occcaasions claimed that the car was in perfect running condition. About  a week  later it was delivered. Upon unloading it from the transporter the driver noted that the AC was NOT working. I specifically asked the sales pertson about that and was told it was operating perfectly. Within 5 min. the "Check engine lights" came on and the "loose gas cap light". It began to run rough. I contacted my local Tucson Ford dealer and arranged a service visit, Couple of days later they called and said the AC modual was defective requiring $280 to repair and that the tie rod was badly bend.

They sent photoes and noted that the bolts used to tighten the suspension were left un-secure. That was very usual. The tie rod was replaced and steering aligned, Cost $519.00. On the way home from the dealer the "Check engine and gas cap lights" came on again along with a miss firing engine. Arranged another dealer visit and on the way to the dealer, it broke down and had to be towed, $170.



At the dealer they discovered a bad fuel pump, a 17 year old fuel filter, and a cracked fuel tank resulting in $1849.00 in repairs. And this didn't even consider that the coolent and brake fluid were old and in need of a change along with the drive belt. 

Contacted the dealer who claimed that used cars are sold "As Is" and it said so on the window. Well, I live 3000 miles away and can't see the window. The was no window sticker when the car was delivered. I was provided no documentation that there was anything wrong with the car, no disclaimer, and I specifically asked on two occasions if there were any issues that needed attention and asked specically about the AC.

Margate Ford refused to assist in any way. I filled a BBB report and they refused to cooperate and it went unresolved. Then I discovered lots of consumer complaints about the dealership and a Facebood page called "Ford Margate Sucks". I have filed an attorney gen. fraud report in AZ and written to Ford CEO, Mr. Farley. No work on that that. 

So.... I am a 74 year old man who spent $20,000. on this car and $4000. to get it to run. AutoNation on their Corp. page listed a used car policy that stated that "You can buy a used car in condidence from AutoNation because of our 178 point inspection poicy". Simply NOT TRUE!!! I hadn't driven this car 15 miles before it had to be towed. What kind of inspection did they do when they failed in so many ways; 1) A non-working AC  2) Damaged steering components and steer alignment system left un-secured 3) Bad fuel pump  4) A leaking/cracked fuel tank  5) Major areas of concern not serviced  5) Warning lights displaying warnings on the dash?

I've owned over 80 vehicles and this is the worst dealership I've ever had the sorry experience to work with. The tech at the servicing dealer in Tucson said they merely reset the computer before shipping it and hoped tha the warning lights would show up for a while.